Russia, a key ally of Syria, has helped the Syrian army regain control over large territories of Latakia province from opposition fighters. the Russian air blitz has helped Syrian President Bashar Assad’s army to launch offensives and seize some key areas from the opposition in recent weeks.

Russian warplanes have flown nearly 6,000 combat missions since Moscow launched its air campaign in Syria on Sept. 30. The Russian warplanes are based at Hemeimeem air base in Syria’s coastal province of Latakia.

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Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi of the military’s General Staff said that Russian warplanes have been flying between 70 and 100 missions a day in the past few days to support the Syrian army’s offensive.